High-frequency board, high-frequency package, and high-frequency module

ABSTRACT

A high-frequency board includes an insulating substrate, a first line conductor, a second line conductor, a capacitor, a first bond, and a second bond. The insulating substrate has a recess on its upper surface. The first line conductor extends from an edge of the recess on the upper surface of the insulating substrate. The second line conductor faces the first line conductor across the recess on the upper surface of the insulating substrate. The capacitor overlaps the recess. The first bond joins the capacitor to the first line conductor. The second bond joins the capacitor to the second line conductor, and is spaced from the first bond.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a high-frequency board, a high-frequency package including the high-frequency board, and a high-frequency module.

BACKGROUND

As wireless communication devices including mobile phones are widely used, these devices have increasingly higher frequencies to transmit increasingly larger volumes of information at an increasingly higher speed. A known high-frequency board includes a capacitor located between portions of a signal line to remove the DC voltage component that transmits high-frequency signals (refer to WO 2009/119443).

A high-frequency board described in WO 2009/119443 includes a dielectric substrate, a signal line arranged on a surface of the dielectric substrate to transmit signals, and a capacitor mounted on a portion separating the signal line on the surface of the dielectric substrate to electrically connect the separated ends of the signal line.

The capacitor is mounted on the surface of the dielectric substrate, and joined to the substrate with an electrically conductive bond, such as solder. When an increasingly smaller and shorter capacitor is joined to the substrate with such a bond, the bond can extend across and connect the separated ends of the signal line. The separated potions of the signal line may be electrically connected through the bond and may be short-circuited.

BRIEF SUMMARY Technical Problem

A high-frequency board according to one aspect of the present invention includes an insulating substrate, a first line conductor, a second line conductor, a capacitor, a first bond, and a second bond. The insulating substrate has a recess on its upper surface. The first line conductor extends from an edge of the recess on the upper surface of the insulating substrate. The second line conductor faces the first line conductor across the recess on the upper surface of the insulating substrate. The capacitor overlaps the recess. The first bond joins the capacitor to the first line conductor. The second bond joins the capacitor to the second line conductor. The second bond is spaced from the first bond.

A high-frequency package according to another aspect of the present invention includes a board, a frame, and the high-frequency board according to one embodiment of the present invention. The frame with a through-hole surrounds an upper surface of the board. The high-frequency board is mounted in the through-hole.

A high-frequency module according to still another aspect of the present invention includes the high-frequency package according to one embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor element, and a lid. The semiconductor element is mounted on the upper surface of the board. The lid is joined to an upper edge of the frame to cover the high-frequency package.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a high-frequency board (with no capacitor) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the high-frequency board (with no capacitor) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of the high-frequency board (with no capacitor) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are cross-sectional views of the high-frequency board (with no capacitor) according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line A-A of FIG. 1, having a rectangular recess in FIG. 4A, a tapered recess in FIG. 4B, and a stepped recess in FIG. 4C.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of the high-frequency board according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the impedance of the high-frequency board according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a high-frequency board according to another embodiment having the same structure as the high-frequency board of the embodiment of the present invention except including an embedded capacitor.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the high-frequency board (with no capacitor) according to the other embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a main part of the high-frequency board (with no capacitor) according to the other embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views of an uppermost layer to a lowermost layer of the high-frequency board (with no capacitor) according to the other embodiment of the present invention taken along line B-B of FIG. 8, having a rectangular recess in FIG. 10A, a tapered recess in FIG. 10B, and a stepped recess in FIG. 10C.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a high-frequency package according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the high-frequency package according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a high-frequency module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A high-frequency board according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

High-Frequency Board Structure

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a high-frequency board 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views of the high-frequency board 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4A to 4C are cross-sectional views of the high-frequency board 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line A-A of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of the high-frequency board according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the impedance of the high-frequency board according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a high-frequency board according to another embodiment with the same structure as the high-frequency board of the above embodiment except having an embedded capacitor. In the figures, the high-frequency board 1 includes an insulating substrate 2, a first line conductor 3, a second line conductor 4, a capacitor 5, a first bond 6, and a second bond 7.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the insulating substrate 2 is a laminate of insulating layers 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d, and 2 e formed from dielectric substances. The insulating substrate 2 is, for example, rectangular, with the dimensions of 4×8 mm to 15×30 mm as viewed from above and a height of 1 to 10 mm. Each insulating layer in the insulating substrate 2 is formed from a dielectric material. Examples of the dielectric material include ceramic materials such as sintered aluminum oxide, sintered mullite, sintered silicon carbide, sintered aluminum nitride, and sintered silicon nitride, as well as glass ceramic materials.

The insulating substrate 2 has an upper surface (surface on which the capacitor 5 is to be mounted) having a recess 21 formed through the insulating layer 2 a. The recess 21 is, for example, rectangular as viewed from above with the dimensions of 0.2×0.4 mm to 2×10 mm. As viewed from above, the recess 21 may also be elliptical or square, or may be rectangular but have round corners. The recess 21 is, for example, rectangular in a cross-sectional view with the dimensions of 0.1×0.2 mm to 5×10 mm. In other words, the recess 21 has a depth of 0.1 to 5 mm. The recess 21 may also be, for example, rectangular, tapered, flared, or stepped in a cross-sectional view.

The insulating layers 2 b, 2 c, 2 d, and 2 e each have, on their upper surfaces, multiple ground conductors around the positions overlapping the recesses 21 and at the positions overlapping the first line conductor 3 and the second line conductor 4. These ground conductors are electrically connected vertically through, for example, vias. In FIG. 2, the squares indicate the positions overlapping the recesses 21, which are surrounded by the ground conductors. The lower surface of the insulating substrate 2, or the lower surface of the insulating layer 2 e, is covered by a lower surface ground conductor layer. The lower surface ground conductor layer, which is also electrically connected with the ground conductors on the insulating layers through, for example, vias, serves as a reference potential.

The lower surface ground conductor layer is, for example, rectangular as viewed from above with the dimensions of 0.1×0.2 mm to 2×10 mm. The lower surface ground conductor layer is formed from, for example, a metal material such as tungsten, molybdenum, or manganese.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface of the insulating substrate 2, or the upper surface of the insulating layer 2 a has the first line conductor 3 extending from an edge of the opening of the recess 21 away from the recess 21. The first line conductor 3 includes a first electrode pad 3 a, to which a first electrode 5 a of the capacitor 5 is to be connected, and a first line 3 b extending from the first electrode pad 3 a away from the recess 21. As viewed from above, for example, the first electrode pad 3 a is 0.2 to 2 mm long, and 0.2 to 2 mm wide, and the first line 3 b is 0.5 to 20 mm long in a direction parallel to the direction in which high-frequency signals are transmitted, and is 0.05 to 20 mm wide in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which high-frequency signals are transmitted. The first electrode pad 3 a and the first line 3 b are both 0.01 to 0.1 mm thick. The first electrode pad 3 a and the first line 3 b are formed from, for example, a metal material such as gold, silver, copper, nickel, tungsten, molybdenum, or manganese, and may be formed on the surface of the insulating layer 2 a as a metallization layer by co-firing or metal plating.

The first electrode pad 3 a overlaps at least the lower surface ground conductor layer and the ground conductors on the insulating layers. The first line 3 b also overlaps at least the lower surface ground conductor layer and the ground conductors on the insulating layers. This structure allows the first electrode pad 3 a and the first line 3 b to form a strip line structure with the lower surface ground conductor layer and the ground conductors on the insulating layers. This facilitates transmission of high-frequency signals.

The insulating substrate 2 or the insulating layer 2 a has, on its upper surface, the second line conductor 4 extending from an edge of the opening of the recess 21 away from the recess 21. The second line conductor 4 includes a second electrode pad 4 a, to which a second electrode 5 b of the capacitor 5 is to be connected, and a second line 4 b extending from the second electrode pad 4 a away from the recess 21. The second electrode pad 4 a faces the first electrode pad 3 a across the recess 21 as viewed from above. As viewed from above, for example, the second electrode pad 4 a is 0.2 to 2 mm long, and 0.2 to 2 mm wide, and the second line 4 b is 0.5 to 20 mm long in a direction parallel to the direction in which high-frequency signals are transmitted, and 0.05 to 20 mm wide in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which high-frequency signals are transmitted. The second pad 4 a and the second line 4 b are both 0.01 to 0.1 mm thick. The second electrode pad 4 a and the second line 4 b are formed from, for example, a metal material such as gold, silver, copper, nickel, tungsten, molybdenum, or manganese, and may be formed on the surface of the insulating layer 2 a as a metallization layer by co-firing, or metal plating.

The second electrode pad 4 a overlaps at least the lower surface ground conductor layer and the ground conductors on the insulating layers. The second line 4 b also overlaps at least the lower surface ground conductor layer and the ground conductors on the insulating layers. This structure allows the second electrode pad 4 a and the second line 4 b to form a strip line structure with the lower surface ground conductor layer and the ground conductors on the insulating layers. This facilitates transmission of high-frequency signals.

As shown in FIG. 5, the capacitor 5 is arranged across the first line conductor 3 and the second line conductor 4 to overlap the recess 21. The first electrode 5 a of the capacitor 5 is electrically connected and fixed to the first electrode pad 3 a through the first bond 6, and the second electrode 5 b of the capacitor 5 is electrically connected and fixed to the second electrode pad 4 a through the second bond 7. The capacitor 5 is, for example, rectangular as viewed from above, with the dimensions of 0.3×0.4 mm to 2×4 mm and a height of 0.3 to 2 mm. The capacitor 5 is formed from, for example, forsterite, aluminum oxide, barium magnesium niobate, or barium neodymium titanate. The arrangement of the capacitor 5 across the first line conductor 3 and the second line conductor 4, and being electrically connected and fixed to the first line conductor 3 b and the second line conductor 4 b removes the DC current component from high-frequency signals.

The first and second electrodes 5 a and 5 b are arranged on the lower surface of the capacitor 5 (surface facing the upper surface of the insulating substrate 2). The first electrode 5 a is electrically connected and joined to the first electrode pad 3 a through the first bond 6. The second electrode 5 b is electrically connected and joined to the second electrode pad 4 a through the second bond 7. The second bond 7 is spaced from the first bond 6 across the recess 21. The first bond 6 may be, for example, known solder such as Sn—Ag—Cu solder, Sn—Zn—Bi solder, or Sn—Cu solder. Similarly, the second bond 7 may be one of various types of solder such as Sn—Ag—Cu solder, Sn—Zn—Bi solder, or Sn—Cu solder.

The first and second bonds 6 and 7 are spaced from each other across the recess 21 between the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a. The recess 21 can leave the space between the first and second bonds 6 and 7 despite any excessive amounts of the first and second bonds 6 and 7. This structure reduces the likelihood of contact between the first and second bonds 6 and 7. To downsize the high-frequency board 1 and the capacitor 5, the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a may be arranged closer to each other. This can increase the likelihood of contact between the first and second bonds 6 and 7, thus causing unintended connection or short-circuiting between them. However, the recess 21 between the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a can reduce the likelihood of such contact between the first and second bonds 6 and 7 and enables the high-frequency board 1 as well as the capacitor 5 to be downsized.

The first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a each may be, for example, spaced from the ends of the opening of the recess 21. The recess 21 thus further reduces the likelihood of contact between the first and second bonds 6 and 7.

The recess 21 has round corners as viewed from above. The recess 21 can thus reduce stress around the recess 21 locally concentrating during the manufacture of the insulating substrate 2, or when the capacitor 5 is joined to the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a through the first and second bonds 6 and 7.

The recess 21 is longer in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a are aligned. The recess 21 can thus reduce stress at the joint between the capacitor 5 and the first electrode pad 3 a through the first bond 6, and the stress at the joint between the capacitor 5 and the second electrode pad 4 a through the second bond 7 interacting each other when the capacitor 5 is joined to the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a through the first and second bonds 6 and 7.

The recess 21 is longer in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a are aligned than the capacitor 5 in the same direction (the width of the capacitor 5). The recess 21 can thus further reduce the likelihood of contact between the first and second bonds 6 and 7.

The first line 3 b and the second line 4 b are narrower in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a are aligned than the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a in the same direction. The capacitor 5 is firmly joined to the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a through the first and second bonds 6 and 7.

The capacitor 5 having the recess 21 at the bottom (in the direction toward the insulating substrate 2) has a space to reduce the likelihood of the electrostatic capacities increasing between the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a, between the first and second electrodes 5 a and 5 b, and between the first and second bonds 6 and 7. The space can also reduce the likelihood of the impedance decreasing as the electrostatic capacities increase. Thus, the high-frequency board 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can adjust the impedance between the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a through the capacitor 5 and the first and second bonds 6 and 7 to an intended value.

Such impedance matching is shown experimentally in the graph of FIG. 6. The graph compares changes in impedance along the transmission line corresponding to the period in which high-frequency signals are transmitted between the structure with the recess 21 and the structure without the recess 21. In the graph, the horizontal axis indicates time and the vertical axis indicates the impedance of transmitted signals. The broken line shows the results for the structure without the recess 21 on the upper surface of the insulating substrate 2, and the solid line shows the results for the structure with the recess 21 on the upper surface of the insulating substrate 2. In the graph in FIG. 6, for example, the impedance of the high-frequency signal transmission line has a predetermined value of 100Ω between the first line conductor 3 and the second line conductor 4 through the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a and the capacitor 5. Without the recess 21, the impedance rapidly decreased to less than or equal to 90Ω between 15 to 20 μs at the transmission line where the capacitor 5 is mounted. However, with the recess 21, the impedance was maintained greater than or equal to 95Ω at around 10 μs, where the impedance was the lowest. In other words, this structure reduces the likelihood of the impedance changing largely. The impedance thus deviates less from the predetermined value.

The structure described above allows the high-frequency board 1 with the recess 21 to leave the space between the first and second bonds 6 and 7 despite any excessive amounts of the first and second bonds 6 and 7. This reduces the likelihood of contact between the first and second bonds 6 and 7. In other words, the high-frequency board 1 can transmit high-frequency signals in good conditions.

To downsize the high-frequency board 1 and the capacitor 5, the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a may be arranged closer to each other. This can increase the likelihood of contact between the first and second bonds 6 and 7, thus causing unintended connection or short-circuiting between the first line conductor 3 and the second line conductor 4. The recess 21 between the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a can reduce the likelihood of such contact between the first and second bonds 6 and 7 and enables the high-frequency board 1 as well as the capacitor 5 to be downsized further, unlike the structure without the recess 21.

The first and second electrodes 5 a and 5 b are arranged on the lower surface and the side surfaces of the two ends of the capacitor 5. The first electrode 5 a arranged on the side surface of one end of the capacitor 5 is electrically connected and fixed to the first electrode pad 3 a through the first bond 6, and the second electrode 5 b arranged on the side surface of the other end of the capacitor 5 is electrically connected and fixed to the second electrode pad 4 a through the second bond 7. When the first and second electrodes 5 a and 5 b are each continuously arranged on the lower surface and the side surfaces of the two ends of the capacitor 5, the capacitor 5 can be firmly connected and fixed to the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a. With a lower end portion of the capacitor 5 partially fitted in the recess 21, the first and second electrodes 5 a and 5 b arranged on the side surfaces of the two ends of the capacitor 5 can be connected and fixed to the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a.

In this case, the high-frequency board 1 has a height lower by the depth of the lower end portion of the capacitor 5 partially fitted in the recess 21 than when the capacitor 5 is arranged above the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a (adjacent to the capacitor 5). To allow the capacitor 5 to partially fit in the recess 21, the recess 21 is tapered or stepped in a cross-sectional view. A lower end portion of the capacitor 5 is fitted in the recess 21 to easily create a space under the capacitor 5 (adjacent to the high-frequency board 1).

The high-frequency board 1 according to embodiments of the present invention has the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a each continuously arranged on the upper surface of the insulating substrate 2 to the two sides of the recess 21. The capacitor 5 is thus more firmly connected and fixed to the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a through the first and second bonds 6 and 7. This reduces the likelihood of the capacitor 5 breaking or separating when the high-frequency board 1 receives stress.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first and second electrodes 5 a and 5 b may be arranged also on the upper surface of the two ends of the capacitor 5 as well as on the lower surface and the side surfaces of the two ends of the capacitor 5. With the same advantage as described above, the capacitor 5, with the electrodes arranged on its upper surface as well as on its lower surface and the side surfaces of the two ends, can be more firmly connected and fixed to the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a through the first and second bonds 6 and 7. With a lower end portion of the capacitor 5 partially fitted in the recess 21 as described above, the first and second electrodes 5 a and 5 b arranged on the upper surface as well as on the lower surface and the side surfaces of the two ends of the capacitor 5 can be connected and fixed to the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a through the first and second bonds 6 and 7.

In other words, the capacitor 5 can be electrically connected and fixed to the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a to have its upper surface lower than the upper surface of the insulating substrate 2 with the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a. In this case, the high-frequency board 1 can have a height lower by the height of the capacitor 5 than when the capacitor 5 is arranged on the upper surface of the insulating substrate 2. When the capacitor 5 is fitted in the recess 21, the recess 21 is tapered or stepped in a cross-sectional view as described above to create a space under the capacitor 5 fitted in the recess 21.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the high-frequency board 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a main part of the high-frequency board 1 according to the other embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views of the high-frequency board 1 according to the other embodiment of the present invention taken along line B-B of FIG. 8. In the figures, the high-frequency board 1 according to the above other embodiment of the present invention differs from the high-frequency board 1 according to the above embodiment of the present invention in that the high-frequency board 1 according to the above other embodiment further includes an internal ground conductor layer 22 at a position overlapping the recess 21. The internal ground conductor layer 22 has its edges overlapping the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a as viewed from above.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10C, the first ground conductor layer 22 is arranged inside the insulating substrate 2, or specifically on the upper surface of the insulating layer 2 c (surface facing the insulating layer 2 b). The first ground conductor layer 22 is, for example, elliptical as viewed from above, and is partially connected to the ground conductor around it through a connecting line conductor 24. The elliptical area has the dimensions of 0.3×0.4 mm to 2×8 mm. The first ground conductor layer 22 is shaped partially circular and rectangular.

Thus, the high-frequency board 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can reduce cracks forming inside the insulating substrate 2. Also, the first ground conductor layer 22 may be, for example, arranged linearly continuous with the connecting line conductor 24 as viewed from above. Thus, the high-frequency board 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can reduce stress inside the insulating substrate 2.

The first ground conductor layer 22 and the connecting line conductor 24 are formed from, for example, a metal material such as tungsten, molybdenum, or manganese, and may be formed on the upper surface of the insulating layer 2 c as a metallization layer by co-firing. In particular, the first ground conductor layer 22 with curved edges like an ellipse as viewed from above can have less drastic changes in impedance between the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a than the first ground conductor layer 22 that is rectangular as viewed from above. This reduces insertion loss or reflection loss during transmission of high-frequency signals between the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a through the capacitor 5 and the first and second bonds 6 and 7.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first ground conductor layer 22 overlaps the recess 21. This structure further strengthens the electric field coupling between the capacitor 5 and the ground conductor arranged around the capacitor 5 during transmission of high-frequency signals through the capacitor 5 than the structure without the first ground conductor layer 22, thus reducing resonance possibly when the electric field distribution expands more than intended during transmission of high-frequency signals. With the electric field coupling with the first ground conductor layer 22, high-frequency signals can be smoothly transmitted through the capacitor 5.

The first ground conductor layer 22 is arranged to allow the edges of the layer 22 to overlap the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a. Like the advantage described above, this arrangement can strengthen the electric field coupling between the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a and the ground conductors arranged around the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a when high-frequency signals are transmitted through the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a. This can reduce resonance possibly when the electric field distribution expands more than intended during transmission of high-frequency signals. With the electric field coupling with the first ground conductor layer 22, high-frequency signals can be smoothly transmitted through the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first ground conductor layer 22 is electrically connected to the ground conductor through the connecting line conductor 24. Further, for example, the ground conductors arranged on the upper surfaces of the insulating layers 2 b, 2 c, and 2 d are electrically connected through, for example, vias formed vertically through the insulating layers.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5, and FIGS. 8 and 9, second ground conductor layers 23 are arranged on the upper surface of the insulating layer 2 a with the recess 21, the first line conductor 3, the second line conductor 4, and the capacitor 5 between them. The second ground conductor layers 23 are arranged on the two sides of the first line conductor 3 and the second line conductor 4, forming a coplanar line. This can strengthen the electric field coupling more than the strip line structure. This also reduces expansion of the electric field, facilitating transmission of high-frequency signals.

The high-frequency board 1 according to the above other embodiment of the present invention accommodates electronic components electrically connected to the first and second electrode pads 3 a and 4 a across the recess 21. The electronic components include a resistor, an inductor, and beads in addition to the capacitor 5. The recess 21 creates a space between the electrodes of the electronic components to reduce the effect of the electrostatic capacities between the electronic components and the insulating layers 2 b, 2 c, 2 d, and 2 e, allowing the transmission line of high-frequency signals to have an intended impedance.

Method for Manufacturing High-Frequency Board

The insulating substrate 2 including the insulating layers 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d, and 2 e formed from, for example, sintered aluminum oxide may be prepared in the manner described below. An aluminum oxide-containing powdery raw material is mixed with, for example, an appropriate organic binder and an appropriate solvent to form slurry. The slurry is then shaped into sheets using, for example, the doctor blade method, to yield multiple ceramic green sheets. The uppermost ceramic green sheet has a through-hole, which is to be the recess 21.

The multiple ceramic green sheets are then cut or punched into an appropriate shape, and then stacked on one another and pressure-bonded. The stacked ceramic green sheets are then fired at a temperature of 1500 to 1600° C. in a reducing atmosphere to complete the insulating substrate 2.

The first electrode pad 3 a, the first line 3 b, the second electrode pad 4 a, the second line 4 b, the first ground conductor layer 22, the second ground conductor layer 23, the connecting line conductor 24, and the ground conductors on the upper surfaces of the insulating layers are formed from, for example, a metallization layer, which may be formed from a metal having a high melting point, such as tungsten, molybdenum, or manganese, prepared in the manner described below. A metal powder with a high melting point is kneaded with an organic solvent and a binder fully into a metal paste. The metal paste is then printed at predetermined positions on the ceramic green sheets, to be the upper surfaces of the insulating layers 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d, and 2 e, by, for example, screen printing. These layers are then co-fired with the ceramic green sheets. Through these processes, the metallization layers are applied to the upper surface and the interior of the insulating substrate 2 or between the insulating layers to serve as the first electrode pad 3 a, the first line 3 b, the second electrode pad 4 a, the second line 4 b, the first ground conductor layer 22, the second ground conductor layer 23, the connecting line conductor 24, and the ground conductors on the upper surfaces of the insulating layers.

The vias may be formed in the manner described below. Through-holes are first formed in the ceramic green sheets to be the insulating layers 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d, and 2 e. The through-holes are filled with the same metal paste as for the first ground conductor layer 22, the second ground conductor layer 23, the connecting line conductor 24, and the ground conductors on the upper surfaces of the insulating layers. The metal paste is then co-fired with the ceramic green sheets. The through-holes can be formed by, for example, die machining using a metal pin, or punching, for example, with laser. The metal paste may be easily filled into the through-holes using, for example, vacuum suction.

The insulating substrate 2 has, for example, a wall 13 on its upper surface arranged on the first line conductor 3 or the second line conductor 4. The wall is formed from the same insulating material as the insulating substrate 2. Thus, the insulating substrate 2 is inserted and fixed to a through-hole 91 of a frame 9, which is formed from a metal member described later, while being insulated from, for example, the first line conductor 3, the second line conductor 4, and the frame 9.

High-Frequency Package Structure

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a high-frequency package 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the high-frequency package 10 according to the above embodiment of the present invention. In the figures, the high-frequency package 10 includes a board 8, the frame 9, DC terminals 14 into which a DC voltage is input through lead members, and the high-frequency board 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The board 8 is rectangular as viewed from above, with the dimensions of 10×10 mm to 50×50 mm and a height of 0.5 to 20 mm.

The frame 9 surrounds the upper surface of the board 8. The frame 9 is rectangular as viewed from above, with the dimensions of 10×10 mm to 50×50 mm and a height of 2 to 15 mm. The frame has a thickness of 0.5 to 2 mm.

The board 8 and the frame 9 may be formed from, for example, a metal such as iron, copper, nickel, chromium, cobalt, molybdenum, or tungsten, or an alloy of these metals, such as a copper-tungsten alloy, a copper-molybdenum alloy, or an iron-nickel-cobalt alloy. The metal member for the board 8 may be prepared by processing (e.g., rolling or punching) an ingot formed from such a metal material.

The frame 9 has through-holes 91 in its side walls. The high-frequency board 1 described above and DC terminals 14 are inserted into the through-holes 91 and fixed. In the high-frequency package 10, the high-frequency board 1 serves as input-output terminals for high-frequency signals, and the DC terminals 14 serve as terminals into which a DC voltage is input.

High-Frequency Module Structure

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a high-frequency module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the high-frequency module 100 includes the high-frequency package 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor element 11, and a lid 12.

The semiconductor element 11 is, for example, a laser diode (LD). The semiconductor element 11 may be, for example, a photodiode (PD). The semiconductor element 11 is arranged on a wiring board 15, and electrically connected with an electrical connection member, such as solder or a bonding wire. For an LD semiconductor, another through-hole may be formed in the frame 9 to connect an optical fiber, in addition to the through-hole 91 through which the high-frequency board 1 is to be mounted.

The lid 12 is joined to the upper edge of the frame 9 to cover the high-frequency package 10. The lid 12 is rectangular as viewed from above, with the dimensions of 10×10 mm to 50×50 mm and a height of 0.5 to 2 mm. The lid 12 may be formed from, for example, a metal such as iron, copper, nickel, chromium, cobalt, molybdenum or tungsten, or an alloy of these metals, such as a copper-tungsten alloy, a copper-molybdenum alloy, or an iron-nickel-cobalt alloy. The metal member for the lid 12 may be prepared by processing (e.g., rolling or punching) an ingot formed from such a metal material.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be modified variously without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Modifications contained in the claims can fall within the scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 high-frequency board

2 insulating substrate

21 recess

22 first ground conductor layer

23 second ground conductor layer

24 connecting line conductor

3 first line conductor

3 a first electrode pad

3 b first line

4 second line conductor

4 a second electrode pad

4 b second line

5 capacitor.

6 first bond

7 second bond

8 board

9 frame

91 through-hole

10 high-frequency package

11 semiconductor element

12 lid

13 wall

14 DC terminal

15 wiring board

100 high-frequency module 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A high-frequency package, comprising: a board; a frame with a through-hole and surrounding an upper surface of the board; and the high-frequency board fixed in the frame mounted in the through-hole, the high-frequency board including; an insulating substrate having a recess on an upper surface thereof; a first line conductor extending from the recess on the upper surface of the insulating substrate; a second line conductor facing the first line conductor with the recess therebetween on the upper surface of the insulating substrate; a capacitor overlapping the recess; a first bond joining the capacitor to the first line conductor; and a second bond joining the capacitor to the second line conductor, the second bond being spaced from the first bond, wherein the first line conductor has a first end facing a second end of the second line conductor with the recess therebetween, in a first direction connecting the first end and the second end, the recess does not extend beyond the first line conductor and the second line conductor, and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the recess extends beyond the first line conductor and the second line conductor.
 2. The high-frequency package according to claim 1, wherein the insulating substrate has, on the upper surface, second ground conductor layers on two sides of each of the first line conductor and the second line conductor, and the second ground conductor layers are spaced from the first line conductor and the second line conductor.
 3. A high-frequency package, comprising: a board; a frame surrounding an upper surface of the board; and a high-frequency board fixed in the frame, wherein the high-frequency board, comprising: an insulating substrate having a recess on an upper surface thereof; a first line conductor extending from the recess on the upper surface of the insulating substrate; a second line conductor facing the first line conductor with the recess there between on the upper surface of the insulating substrate; a capacitor overlapping the recess; a first bond joining the capacitor to the first line conductor; and a second bond joining the capacitor to the second line conductor, the second bond being spaced from the first bond.
 4. The high-frequency package according to claim 3, wherein the capacitor has an upper surface located below the upper surface of the insulating substrate.
 5. The high-frequency package according to claim 4, wherein the insulating substrate internally includes a first ground conductor layer overlapping the recess.
 6. The high-frequency package according to claim 3, wherein the insulating substrate internally includes a first ground conductor layer overlapping the recess.
 7. The high-frequency package according to claim 6, wherein the first ground conductor layer overlaps the first line conductor and the second line conductor.
 8. The high-frequency package according to claim 7, wherein the first ground conductor layer has a curved edge overlapping the recess.
 9. The high-frequency package according to claim 6, wherein the first ground conductor layer has a curved edge, the curved edge overlapping the recess.
 10. The high-frequency package according to claim 6, wherein in a portion of the first ground conductor layer overlapping the recess, the first ground conductor layer does not have a through hole.
 11. The high-frequency package according to claim 6, wherein the recess has a region located between the first end of the first line conductor and the second end of the second line conductor in the first direction and located between one side of the first line conductor and an other side of the first line conductor in the second direction, and the first ground conductor layer overlaps whole of the region of the recess.
 12. A high-frequency module, comprising: the high-frequency package according to claim 3; a semiconductor element mounted on the upper surface of the board; and a lid joined to an upper edge of the frame and covering the high-frequency package.
 13. A high-frequency package according to claim 3, wherein the first line conductor includes a first electrode pad and a first line extending from the first electrode pad in a first direction away from the recess; and the first electrode pad includes a portion getting narrower away from the recess.
 14. The high-frequency package according to claim 13, wherein the second line conductor includes a second electrode pad and a second line extending from the second electrode pad in a first direction away from the recess, and the second electrode pad includes a portion getting narrower away from the recess.
 15. The high-frequency package according to claim 3, wherein the first line conductor includes a first electrode pad and a first line extending from the first electrode pad in the first direction away from the recess, and the first electrode pad includes a portion wider than the first line.
 16. The high-frequency package according to claim 3, wherein the first line conductor is longer than the second line conductor.
 17. The high-frequency package according to claim 3, wherein in the second direction, the length of the recess is larger than the length of the capacitor.
 18. A high-frequency board, comprising an insulating substrate having a recess on an upper surface thereof; a first line conductor extending from an edge of the recess on the upper surface of the insulating substrate; a second line conductor facing the first line conductor with the recess therebetween on the upper surface of the insulating substrate; a capacitor overlapping the recess; a first bond joining the capacitor to the first line conductor; and a second bond joining the capacitor to the second line conductor, the second bond being spaced from the first bond, wherein the first line conductor has a first end facing a second end of the second line conductor with the recess therebetween, the insulating substrate has, on the upper surface, second ground conductor layers on two sides of each of the first line conductor and the second line conductor, the second ground conductor layers are spaced from the first line conductor and the second line conductor, and the first line conductor includes a first electrode pad and a first line extending from the first electrode pad in the first direction away from the recess, and in the second direction, the first distance between the first line and the second ground conductor layer is smaller than the second distance between the first electrode pad and the second ground conductor layer. 